travel gifts for the road
An original gift for someone going travelling: 10 ideas they can actually take with them
A friend is going backpacking, your daughter is heading off on a gap year, or someone you love is finally setting off on that long-planned trip around the world. There are plenty of moments when you want to give someone a little something before they leave.
But what do you give someone who is actively trying to pack as little as possible?
A good travel gift doesn't have to be big or expensive. Something small, personal or practical can be much more valuable on the road. So we've collected 10 gift ideas that fit easily into a backpack or suitcase — and can actually come along for the journey.
1. A small travel journal
A classic, but for good reason. A small notebook gives someone a place to keep track of memorable moments, addresses, names and stories along the way.
Just don't choose a huge one. When someone is travelling for months with a single backpack, every centimetre counts. A little notebook that slips into a side pocket is more than enough.
2. Some local currency for their first adventure
Already know where their journey begins? Give them a small amount in the local currency.
Make it more personal by adding a little mission: “For your first coffee in Vietnam,” “For a beer with someone you meet today,” or “For something you'd normally be just a little too sensible to spend money on.”
Suddenly, even a small amount of money becomes a memory.
3. A personal letter for the road
Possibly the smallest gift on this list — and one they might keep for years.
Write a letter that can only be opened at a particular moment during the trip. For example: “Open when you're homesick,” “Open during your first long bus ride,” or “Open when you've experienced something you never want to forget.”
You could also give them several little envelopes to open at different moments along the way.
4. A conversation game for meeting new people
Travelling isn't just about the places you visit. More often than not, it's the people you meet along the way who stay with you years later.
In a hostel, on a long train journey or with travel buddies you've only known for a few days — some of the best conversations and friendships happen unexpectedly on the road.
That's why a small conversation game can make a great gift for someone going travelling. The Babbel Game contains 70 questions about travel, memories, culture and unexpected moments. The questions help you move beyond the usual “Where are you from?” and “How long have you been travelling?” and bring a little more depth to the conversation.
You can play it with friends you're travelling with, but also with people you've only just met along the way. It's an easy way to get to know each other better — and maybe even make some new friends.
And, importantly for any backpacker: it's compact enough to simply throw in your bag.
5. A disposable camera
Almost every travel photo is taken on a phone these days. Which is exactly why a simple disposable camera can be so much fun.
You don't get twenty attempts at the perfect shot, you can't immediately see the result, and you have to choose which moments are really worth capturing.
Even better: agree to get the photos developed together when they're back home.
6. A personalised luggage tag
A luggage tag is practical, small and can travel with them for the entire trip.
Make it personal by writing a little message on the inside. Every time that backpack or suitcase gets packed again, your message comes along too.
7. A photo from home
Print a favourite photo in a small format. Friends, family, a pet or simply a memory you've shared together.
It weighs almost nothing and takes up virtually no space, but on a long trip or journey around the world, a tiny piece of home can mean surprisingly much.
8. A practical mini travel gift
Not every gift needs to be sentimental. Sometimes, after flight number three, the thing someone appreciates most is simply something useful.
Think of a sleep mask, cable organiser, small laundry bag or universal travel adapter.
Just try to choose something you know they don't already own. Nobody needs three travel adapters.
9. A tiny lucky charm or keepsake
Give them something small they can attach to their backpack or keep tucked away in one of its pockets.
It could be a lucky charm, keyring or something with a meaning only the two of you understand. Especially on a longer journey, it can be nice to carry something familiar from home.
10. An experience for the journey
Know where they're going? Then you don't necessarily need to give them anything physical at all.
Contribute towards a cooking class, surf lesson, food tour or another experience during their trip. Or simply give them an envelope with some money and write:
“For an adventure you normally wouldn't book.”
Guaranteed to take up no space in their backpack.
The best travel gift doesn't have to be big
Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend going travelling, someone heading off backpacking or your son or daughter setting off on a trip around the world: bigger usually isn't better.
Everything has to make its way from plane to hostel, train to bus — and eventually back home again.
So choose something small enough to take along, but personal enough that they won't want to leave it behind. In the end, it's often the little things — and the stories attached to them — that you remember.